15 Things to know for Android developers at Google I/O
AI is unlocking experiences that were not even possible a few years ago, and we’ve been hard at work reimaging Android with AI at the core, to help enable you to build a whole new class of apps. At this year’s Google I/O, we’re covering how new tools like Gemini can power building the next generations of apps on Android. Plus, we showcased a range of updates to our tools and services grounded in productivity, helping you make it faster and easier to build excellent experiences across form factors. Let’s dive in!
#1: AI in your tools, with Gemini in Android Studio
Gemini in Android Studio (formerly Studio Bot) is your coding companion for Android development, and thanks to your feedback since its preview at last year’s Google I/O, we’ve evolved our models, expanded to over 200 countries and territories, and brought it into the Gemini family of products. Earlier today, we previewed a number of new features coming soon, like Code suggestions, App Quality Insights that leverage Gemini, and a preview of the multi-modal inputs that are coming using Gemini 1.5 Pro. You can read more about the updates here, and make sure to check out What’s new in Android development tools.
#2: Building with Generative AI
Android provides the solution you need to build Generative AI apps. You can use our most capable models over the Cloud with the Gemini API in Google AI or Vertex AI for Firebase directly in your Android apps. For on-device, Gemini Nano is our most efficient model. We’re working closely with a few early adopters such as Patreon, Grammarly, and Adobe to ensure we’re creating the best APIs that unlock the most innovative experiences. For example, Adobe is experimenting with Gemini Nano to enhance the on-device experience of Acrobat AI Assistant, a tool that allows their users to summarize and interact with documents. Be sure to check out the Build your own generative AI powered Android app, Android on-device gen AI under the hood, and the What’s New in Android sessions to learn more!
#3: Think adaptive: apps on phones, foldables, tablets and more
Build and design apps that adapt beyond the phone, with the new Compose adaptive layout libraries built with Material guidance in beta. Add rich stylus and keyboard support to increase user productivity. Read more on our blog and check out three of our key Android adaptive sessions at Google I/O: Designing adaptive apps, Building adaptive Android apps, and Increase user productivity with large screens and accessories.
#4: Enhance homescreens with Widgets and Jetpack Glance
Jetpack Glance 1.1 is now available in release candidate and lets you build high quality widgets using your Compose skills. Check out our new canonical layouts, design guidance and figma updates to the Android UI kit. To learn more check out our Improve the user experience of your Android app workshop and Build Android widgets with Jetpack Glance technical session.
#5: Compose: helping you build, across devices
Jetpack Compose is designed to help you build better apps faster and easier, and that also means building apps faster and easier across different types of devices. With the June ‘24 Jetpack Compose release, Compose for TV in beta, new Compose Material 3 adaptive layout libraries in beta, Jetpack Glance 1.1 in release candidate and more, you can use Compose to build UI across all form factors; you can read more here.
#6: Future-proof your app with Wear OS 5 and Android Health
Wear OS 5 is bringing improved battery life for users, as well as enhancements to the Watch Face Format. From Android Health, we are delivering updates to Health Connect and Health Services on Wear OS. Be sure to check out the Wear OS blog and the Building adaptable experiences with Android Health and Building for the future of Wear OS technical sessions to learn more.
#7: Android for Cars: Bringing more apps to cars
It’s easier than ever to bring your apps on the road! We’re sharing new updates and programs to help streamline development of apps across Android Auto and cars powered by Android Automotive OS with Google built-in. Watch this session to learn more (*day 3), check out the Build and test a parked app for Android Automotive OS codelab and come back tomorrow to read the latest news.
#8: Android TV
Android 14 for TV is available in the emulator today and is coming to consumer devices this year. It includes performance improvements, new energy modes to reduce power consumption and accessibility and multitasking features. Compose for TV is now in beta with a host of dedicated components for TV apps, so learn how to build modern, beautiful TV UIs, here.
#9: Google Home APIs – Enabling all developers to build for the home
We’ve re-envisioned Google Home as a platform, so any developer can build delightful new experiences for the home. With the Home APIs and Home runtime, you can access 600 million connected devices, Google’s hub and Matter infrastructure, and automate with Google’s unique home intelligence. Learn more here.
#10: Use Kotlin Multiplatform for sharing business logic
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) enables sharing Kotlin code across different platforms and several of our Jetpack libraries, like DataStore and Room, have already been migrated to take advantage of KMP. We use Kotlin Multiplatform within Google and recommend using KMP for sharing business logic between platforms. Learn more about it here.
#11: Compose: Shared Elements, performance improvements and more
The upcoming Compose June ‘24 release is packed with the features you’ve been asking for! Shared element transitions, lazy list item reordering animations, strong skipping mode, performance improvements, a new lazy flow layout and more. Read more about it in our blog.
#12: Android Studio: the latest preview, with Gemini and more
Android Studio Koala 🐨Feature Drop (2024.1.2) available today in the canary channel, builds on top of IntelliJ 2024.1 and adds new innovative features unlocked by Gemini, such as insights for crashes in App Quality Insights, code transformations and a Gemini API starter template to get you quickly started with Gemini. Additionally, new features such as USB speed detection, shortcut UI to control device settings, a new way to sign into Google services, updated and speedier UI for profilers with a new task centric approach and a deep integration with the Google Play SDK index are intended to make the development process extremely productive. Read more here.
#13: Grow your business with the latest Google Play updates
Discover new ways to attract and engage users with enhanced custom store listings. Optimize revenue with expanded payment options. Reinforce trust through secure, high-quality experiences made easier with our latest SDK Console improvements. Learn about these updates and more, including our new vertical approach, in our blog.
#14: Simplify app compliance with Checks
Streamline your app’s privacy compliance with Checks, Google’s AI-powered compliance solution! Checks empowers developers to swiftly identify, address, resolve privacy issues, and enables you to launch apps faster and with confidence. Harness the power of automation with Checks’ intelligent reports, saving you valuable time and resources. Get started now at checks.google.com.
#15: And of course, Android 15
We’re releasing the second beta of Android 15, which continues our work to build a platform that helps improve your productivity, minimize battery impact, maximize smooth app performance, give users a premium device experience, protect user privacy and security, and make your app accessible to as many people as possible — all in a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of devices, silicon partners, and carriers. Read more here!
Learn more about all our new and upcoming features on Android. And if you’re up for a challenge, play Android Game On! minigames to check out a few of these features alongside McLaren drivers Lando and Oscar.